In this episode, I reflect on what it looks like to step back from expectations that quietly create pressure—especially expectations placed on us by others, and the ones we internalize without ever questioning.

So much of what we push ourselves to meet isn’t rooted in what we actually want or need. It’s shaped by habit, comparison, and unspoken standards about how we should be showing up. And over time, that pressure can start to feel heavy, disconnected, and unsustainable.

This conversation isn’t about lowering standards or opting out of responsibility. It’s about discernment—learning how to recognize which expectations are meaningful, and which ones are simply adding stress without adding value.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin by invisible “should's,” this episode is an invitation to pause, notice what you’re carrying, and consider what it might feel like to loosen your grip on what no longer fits.

In this episode, we explore:

• How expectations, both external and internal, create unnecessary pressure
• The difference between responsibility and over-responsibility
• Why meeting expectations can override alignment without us realizing it
• What it looks like to stop forcing yourself to care about every “should”
• Choosing relief and honesty over pressure and performance

This episode is reflective rather than prescriptive. My hope is that it offers space to rethink the expectations you’re holding—and permission to let go of the ones that don’t actually belong to you.